Archive · 24 Sep 2026
BJP Leader’s Durga Puja Picture Order Triggers Party Backlash
A BJP leader in Birbhum told some Durga Puja clubs to put the chief minister’s picture in their pandals.
He said this should apply to clubs receiving government money.
The government had announced grants of ₹1 lakh for eligible Puja committees.
However, the government did not make displaying a picture a condition for receiving the money.
Two BJP ministers said there was no official instruction like this.
Other BJP leaders criticized the district leader’s statement.
They said the demand was not consistent with the party’s culture.
The controversy began after the order was made at a meeting in Sainthia.
BJP Birbhum president Uday Shankar Banerjee ordered funded Durga Puja clubs to display Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s picture.
Banerjee issued the demand at a meeting with Puja committees in Sainthia on Tuesday night.
The state government had announced ₹1 lakh grants for Durga Puja committees based on applications.
Dilip Ghosh and Sukanta Majumdar said the government had issued no such official instruction.
BJP leaders called the order high-handed and said displaying leaders’ photographs was not part of the party’s culture.
- Who
- BJP Birbhum district president Uday Shankar Banerjee, Durga Puja committees, and BJP leaders including Dilip Ghosh and Sukanta Majumdar.
- What
- Banerjee ordered Puja clubs receiving government funds to display Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s picture in their pandals, prompting backlash within the BJP.
- When
- The order was issued at a meeting on Tuesday night; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Sainthia, in Birbhum district.
- Why
- Banerjee linked the demand to clubs receiving government funds; no additional reason was stated.
District Leader’s Directive
Party and Government Response
Displaying the chief minister’s picture
District Leader’s Directive
Uday Shankar Banerjee said clubs receiving government Puja funds must display Suvendu Adhikari’s picture or face action.
Party and Government Response
BJP leaders said the government had imposed no such condition and that displaying leaders’ photographs was not BJP culture.
- Government grant
- ₹1 lakh for Durga Puja committees, based on applications.
- Order issuer
- Uday Shankar Banerjee, BJP Birbhum district president.
- Requirement announced
- Funded clubs were told to display Suvendu Adhikari’s picture in their pandals.
- Official position
- Dilip Ghosh and Sukanta Majumdar said no such state government instruction had been issued.
- Party reaction
- A BJP source described the order as complete high-handedness.
- Related party criticism
- BJP leaders said the party had previously criticized photographs of Mamata Banerjee at Puja pandals.